About the company

Our skill in making PCBs over a very wide range of sizes to a high degree of precision has brought us international success and we now export to countries around the world, including the USA, Australia, Europe and China.

About us

Wherever you are based, and however tough or complex the challenge, we are confident we can help. Since 1989, we have been giving clients fast, reliable and innovative PCBs that are operating globally – from Europe and the USA to China and Australia.

Trackwise was established in 1989 as a specialist in the manufacture of very large high-frequency printed circuit boards (PCBs) for the antennas in the base stations run by the world’s cellphone operators. In recent years, our programme of innovation in manufacturing capability and processes has led to a number of advances in PCB applications well beyond radio frequency.

Our skill in making PCBs over a very wide range of sizes to a high degree of precision has brought us international success and we now export to countries around the world, including the USA, Australia, Europe and China. In 2005 we won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade, following our success in increasing exports from £500,000 to more than £2m in three years.

In 2007 we formerly opened Trackwise Epitome India, a new joint venture established to provide volume manufacturing of specialist RF PCBs for Indian-located wireless infrastructure equipment manufacturers and assemblers.

Our continued growth has been achieved through an ethos of total commitment to serving our clients’ core business challenges.

Senior Management Team

Philip Johnston, Managing Director and CTO

Philip’s early career was in the space industry which included a key management role in the Prime Contractor team for Envisat, a large European satellite, managing multi million ECU work packages involving different companies across Europe. Philip joined Trackwise in 1999 and acquired the Company in 2000. Under his stewardship the Company has enjoyed sustained growth based largely through export success and innovation. Philip is named inventor on a number of UK and international patents and he has led several government supported R&D consortiums including a European CleanSky programme.

Philip holds a degree in both Aeronautical Engineering and Law and is a Chartered Engineer.

Mike Prosser, Director of Operations

Mike holds a degree in Chemical Engineering and has worked at Trackwise since 1998. Having joined as a development engineer Mike has rapidly progressed through the ranks working in every facet of the PCB manufacturing process. He brings to his current role a broad breadth of experience and practical knowledge and is responsible for all manufacturing operations including personnel, process plant and equipment and chemistry - from specification to installation, commissioning and maintenance. Mike is also responsible for the Trackwise Environment Management System – ISO14001:2004

Colin Hallam, Director of Quality

Colin has a career spanning 33 years in the PCB industry, working for large PCB companies both in the UK and overseas. Having previously managed from start up to fully operational a large scale manufacturing facility, in 2007 Colin joined Trackwise bringing with him a wealth of experience in all aspects of PCB manufacture, process control and process improvement including an in depth knowledge of Six Sigma. In his current role Colin is responsible for the Trackwise Quality Management System – ISO9001:2008 and the SC21 change programme. He is currently driving Trackwise’ objective of achieving AS9100 accreditation by H2, 2015.

Colin holds a degree in Chemical Engineering

Neil Bartlett, Director of Sales and Marketing

Neil has spent his working life working within sales and marketing. Having enjoyed 15 years with the Volkswagen Group working across product, brand and operational management roles, Neil left to set up a successful design company. Following a subsequent merger with a full service marketing agency he became a board member with client service responsibility for the company’s blue chip client base. Neil Joined Trackwise in 2012 and is responsible for new business development and marketing which has included the Company rebranding in 2013.

Quality Approvals

Trackwise is also a holder of the SC21 Bronze Award. As a participant of the 21st Century Supply Chain initiative (SC21) Trackwise is committed to achieving the required high levels of business and manufacturing excellence, ensuring that the Company remains competitive whilst providing increased value to its customers.

Awards and Accreditations

The Queen’s Award for Enterprise 2005

Trackwise held a Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade for increasing exports of its boards from £500K to over £2M in three years, including substantial orders to China. The award was presented to the company by the Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire on July 6 2005.

Cyber Security

As part of Trackwise' ongoing commitment to ensuring the security and protection of its IT systems and customer data alike, Trackwise is a holder of the UK government's enhanced security accreditation, Cyber Essentials Plus (please click here for copy of certificate).

Environment

We recognise that our operations result in emissions to air and water and the generation of waste and consumption of natural resource. Accordingly we are committed to taking every reasonable measure to safeguard the environment.

Our Environmental Policy
We have implemented an environmental management system (ISO 14001 :2004, accreditation achieved November 2006) and are committed to operating our business responsibly and in compliance with all environmental regulations, legislation and approved codes of practice relating to its industry and activities.

It is Trackwise's objective to operate with, and to maintain good relations with all regulatory bodies.

It is our declared policy to carry out all measures reasonably practicable to meet, exceed or develop all necessary or desirable requirements and to continually improve environmental performance through the implementation of the following:

1. Assessment and regular reassessment of the environmental effects of our activities
2. Assessment and regular reassessment of our environmental objectives and targets
3. Training of employees in environmental issues
4. Minimising the production of waste
5. Minimising material wastage
6. Minimising energy wastage
7. Promoting the use of recyclable and renewable materials
8. Reducing and/or limiting the production of pollutants to water, land and air
9. Controlling noise emissions from operations
10. Minimising the risk to the general public and employees from our operations and activities.

The candidate should have had experience in a similar role and be proficient in using Microsoft Office including Excel, Word and Outlook. Good inter personal skills coupled with excellent attention to detail and organisational skills are prerequisites of the role.

Screen Print Technician

Main purpose: Accurate printing of solder mask on to PCBs using a semi-automatic screen print process.

The candidate should have working experience of screen printing, ideally within the PCB industry although not essential.

For more details on any of the above vacancies, please contact Mike Prosser on 01684 299930.

Trackwise Apprenticeship Scheme

Trackwise is committed to developing young engineering talent and providing a career development path for those who are keen to listen and learn and have the desire to flourish within a growing company.

Run over a 4 year period the Scheme offers paid training (theoretical and practical) designed to provide a comprehensive grounding in all key areas of modern electronics. This includes a mix of college based learning and onsite work experience leading to nationally recognised qualifications. Pending successful completion it may also lay the foundations for what we hope will be a long and prosperous career with Trackwise.

The Apprenticeship Scheme:

Year 1 (commencing September)

You will be based in full time study at the Gloucestershire Engineering Training (GET) facility in Gloucester (Mon – Fri , 08:00 – 16:00).

You will learn the basic theoretic and practical principles of engineering, studying to Technical Certificate Level 2 in Engineering Technology.

20% of your time will be spent in classrooms learning the principles of engineering, whilst developing functional skills including Maths, English and ICT. The remaining 80% is spent ‘hands-on’ learning practical skills, using equipment and applying theory.

The apprenticeship is dual-skilled, incorporating both mechanical and electronic functions.

Years 2,3,4

You will be predominantly based onsite at Trackwise in Tewkesbury. The first week will entail a company induction learning more about our products, business functions, business objectives and our culture and values.

Thereafter you will be given ‘hands on’ experience across all manufacturing functions of the company providing you with a broad knowledge base. This will also include developing Personal Learning and Thinking Skills (PLTS) and learning the fundamentals of Employment Rights and Responsibilities. As you progress you may also have the opportunity to specialize in areas of particular interest for your future career development. Typical working hours are Monday to Thursday 06:00 to 16:00 and Friday 06:00 to 12:30. There may be occasions where the Company request hours to be worked outside of these.

In the second year you will continue to attend GET 1 day a week to continue studies towards the Technical Certificate Level 3 Diploma in Engineering Technology and an NVQ Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering.

During this three year period you will be assigned 3-4 specific onsite engineering projects.

You will be supported by regular onsite meetings with the tutors from GET throughout your training.

On successful completion of the apprenticeship, Trackwise will consider support to those who wish to continue their education to HNC/HND or Degree level.

Is Trackwise right for you?..........we cannot answer that but please consider:

Trackwise is not a large multi-national company

It is a fast growing company but still of the size where talent is easily identified and nurtured – it’s a personal thing

You will be a large and important investment to the company; you mean a lot to us

You will have exposure to the entire company

You will be working on leading edge products (Improved Harness Technology™) made nowhere else in the world

A rapidly growing company opens multiple opportunities; 2 of our ex-apprentices already have line management roles

Trackwise understands that the transition from the classroom to the workplace can present its own challenges and will support you where we can in making it as smooth as possible

Minimum Entry Requirements:

5 GCSE’s at grade C or above to include Maths, English and Science

A genuine interest in engineering

A positive attitude with a willingness to learn, work hard and a drive to succeed

Application and recruitment process:

Submit CV with covering letter** to Trackwise

Initial interview at Trackwise if selected

Assessment – if successful at initial interview you will put forward for an assessment morning/afternoon (approx. 1.5 hours) at GET where you will be assessed on skills and mechanical aptitude

Final stage interview and assessment – if selected you will be invited for final interview at Trackwise which will include practical assessments, a tour of the facility and the opportunity to speak with team members in the current apprenticeship scheme

Start date – September

**The CV and covering letter should include:

Details of qualifications including subjects and grades achieved and/or predicted

Alternatively, if you would like to first discuss any aspect of this opportunity – or perhaps speak to one of the current trainees, then please call Mike Prosser, Director of Operations, Trackwise on 01684 299930.